Do Baggage Locks Make Your Baggage Extra Safe?

Most suitcases available on the market have locks. This added safety makes vacationers really feel safer, however does it really work? I spoke with Nathan Bahr and Jeff Church, supervisory transportation safety officers on the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), and Lorie Dankers, a spokesperson for the TSA, to seek out out.

Totally different Kinds of Baggage Locks 

There are two important kinds of baggage locks. The extra prevalent type is one that’s constructed into the suitcase — you’ll see these on many checked luggage available on the market proper now. The opposite kind of baggage lock is removable and could be bought individually from the suitcase. Most vacationers with separate, removable locks use these for duffle luggage, backpacks, or different baggage with no built-in lock. Surprisingly, not all built-in locks are TSA-approved, so it’s vital to look earlier than buying a brand new suitcase.

In accordance with the TSA, locks seem extra typically on checked luggage than carry-ons. Nevertheless, it will rely largely on the place the traveler is heading and what they’re touring with. If you happen to’re curious in case your lock is TSA-approved, that is the way you inform: “There’s two completely different producers,” explains Church. “[A TSA-approved lock] could have a diamond form on the lock, and [at] the underside of the lock, it should say TSA with some numbers.”

Why Folks Use Baggage Locks

Everybody needs to verify their belongings keep protected whereas in transit. There are a number of the explanation why folks may use baggage locks, starting from safety towards theft to retaining the suitcase collectively. When you have a zipper that gained’t keep shut, a lock can successfully guarantee your suitcase doesn’t fall open whereas going by means of the conveyor belts till it reaches your ultimate vacation spot.

If the priority is the protection of your objects whereas the bags is within the custody of TSA, you don’t have anything to fret about. The TSA has heavy accountability measures, together with CCTV footage throughout any potential bodily inspection. You by no means have to fret about theft by TSA officers, so don’t buy a lock solely because of this.

Nevertheless, folks exterior of the TSA, like third-party baggage handlers and even folks ready on the baggage carousel, may have entry to your suitcase. A visual lock, whether or not built-in or exterior, may dissuade potential thieves from trying into your suitcase.

How the TSA Handles Baggage Locks

After leaving the check-in counter, all checked luggage undergo an explosive detection system. This method makes use of a 3D scanner to establish potential explosives. If the scanner flags a suitcase, an officer opinions the X-ray picture and might both clear the bag or flag it for a bodily inspection. “In our checked baggage room, we now have a set of keys,” explains Church. “There’s 9 completely different keys for 9 completely different locks.” In case your suitcase is flagged and has a TSA-approved lock, it will likely be searched and resecured earlier than it makes its solution to the aircraft.

It’s vital to know that solely choose TSA officers can entry the keys to open TSA-approved locks. You don’t have to fret that dozens of units of keys are floating round, in a position to open your suitcase at any second. They’re securely saved and tracked for additional accountability.

“We now have to safe our keys each morning and night time to verify we now have management of the keys and that we’ve not had somebody wander by means of and gather the keys that should not have entry to them,” explains Bahr.

When you have a lock that isn’t TSA-approved and your bag is flagged, the lock will get lower. Bahr explains that the TSA has a set of bolt cutters to take away the locks if needed. Though the lock can’t be repaired, the officer will attempt to use zip ties to safe the bag earlier than sending it alongside.

Solely round 5 p.c of luggage are opened for bodily inspection, so that you doubtless gained’t encounter points, no matter your lock kind. In case your suitcase does want an inspection, it will likely be opened by any means needed. Of the 5 p.c that will get inspected, Bahr estimates that between 25 p.c and 35 p.c of luggage are locked, so it definitely makes the method rather more streamlined if it’s TSA-approved.

Carry-on luggage are a barely completely different scenario. Since carry-ons stay with the passenger whereas they undergo safety, a TSA-approved lock isn’t as needed. If an officer must carry out a bodily inspection after the carry-on goes by means of the scanner, the traveler can open the lock for the officer, whether or not it’s TSA-approved or not.

Backside Line

As a full-time traveler, I extremely advocate having a suitcase with a built-in TSA-approved baggage lock. I do know my suitcase is safe whereas in transit, however it gained’t have to be damaged into for the TSA to do a bodily inspection. In case your suitcase doesn’t have a built-in TSA-approved lock, there are many exterior locks available on the market which are nonetheless TSA-approved. Search for the Journey Sentry marking, just a little purple diamond, to know if it falls into this class.